When do (or did) you call the doc for fertility testing?

[annalatte]

We've been TTC our 2nd baby for 9 months now (charting, OPKs, the whole nine).  My cycles are very regular and normal/predictable.  For our first baby, 3 years ago, it took 4 months (no charting, only used OPK the last month).  I know they say wait 12 months before testing but I'm getting anxious!  Debating whether or not to just call my doc now to make an appt. 

What did you do??

[HoneySpider]

When I started my 9th cycle I called to make an appointment. I didn't want to keep waiting incase something was wrong. I was afraid they might want to say "wait 12 months" but they didn't.

[coribelle26]

This is cycle 8 and I have a regular physical appointment for my GP in two weeks. I'm going to bring it up to her to get suggestions for what to do/where to go next. By the time I actually get appointments with the right kind of doctors it will probably be month 10 or 11.

[lola]

I had my yearly at the 8th cycle, and mentioned it. She wasn't all, "We can't talk until 12 cycles," but she didn't jump right to next steps either. We got proactive after 12 timed cycles.

Sorry it's not going well, I know it's no fun.

[simpsongal]

I'm sorry you're struggling. I think TCOYF says to see a doc after 6 well-timed cycles. Sounds like you're ready. It's just a first step. I've read so many stories of ladies ready to see the doc and getting a BFP that morning.

[linz]

What is your reason to call? We actually never "tried" on our own. I got off BC and didn't get a period, went to dr and had a blood draw and took provera. Got a period but didn't get another one. Another blood draw and dr appt to determine I have PCOS and don't ovulate on my own.

If your charting and see that you ovulate I wouldn't rush to see a dr. And since you got pg before I would assume your H is ok.

[linz]

-Sorry, Just saw you said trying for 9 months.

I'd still wait a good year. I know couples that it took almost that long on their own. Try to not stress about it.

[annabear07]

My doctor told me to come in if it took longer than 6 well-timed cycles. I'm "older" too so that might be a factor as well. (I'm 32 btw)

[lola]

Mar 20, 2013 14:48:18 GMT -5 annabear07 said:

My doctor told me to come in if it took longer than 6 well-timed cycles. I'm "older" too so that might be a factor as well. (I'm 32 btw)

Where do you live? (if you don't mind sharing!)

[annabear07]

Mar 20, 2013 15:03:27 GMT -5 lola said:

Mar 20, 2013 14:48:18 GMT -5 annabear07 said:

My doctor told me to come in if it took longer than 6 well-timed cycles. I'm "older" too so that might be a factor as well. (I'm 32 btw)

Where do you live? (if you don't mind sharing!)

I'm in NoVa. (So I'm not old for my area!) How about you?

[lola]

Mar 20, 2013 15:13:13 GMT -5 annabear07 said:

Mar 20, 2013 15:03:27 GMT -5 lola said:

Where do you live? (if you don't mind sharing!)

I'm in NoVa. (So I'm not old for my area!) How about you?

I'm in Chicago, and I'm 30. My doctor keeps saying, "You're so young, so we have time..." but I know that "young" and "older" can vary really by where you are. In Chicago, 30 is pretty young for married and TTC, you know? I imagine NoVa is the same way, but it sounds like 32 is "older" there! What the heck!? lol

[annabear07]

Mar 20, 2013 15:21:38 GMT -5 lola said:

Mar 20, 2013 15:13:13 GMT -5 annabear07 said:

I'm in NoVa. (So I'm not old for my area!) How about you?

I'm in Chicago, and I'm 30. My doctor keeps saying, "You're so young, so we have time..." but I know that "young" and "older" can vary really by where you are. In Chicago, 30 is pretty young for married and TTC, you know? I imagine NoVa is the same way, but it sounds like 32 is "older" there! What the heck!? lol

Haha!  My doctor didn't say I was older but medically I know over 30 is considered older, so I'm guessing that entered into her thinking. I meant to say that if I were 25 TTC I would probably get different advice from her than the 6 cycles.  I just like to put all the information out there!

And I admit to looking over my shoulder to make sure you weren't one of my coworkers randomly finding me here!

[lola]

LOL @ looking over your shoulder. I wonder all the time if I am going to come across somebody I know IRL on here. I'd die. So much more of my life is here than I tell most people!

I think 35 is "older" when it comes to having kids. They say if you're under 35 give it 12 cycles, if you're 35 or over give it six. I say do what you're comfortable with. Are you charting/OPKing to make sure your timing is right?

[thoseareradishes]

We have been trying for 11 cycles (I'm 33), but we started in June (I have short cycles). I have an appointment to see my doctor in June if I'm not KU'ed by then. The appointment is partly about my cysts and fibroid, and partly because we will have been trying for a year at that point. She told me at my annual appointment (we had been trying for 6 months at that point) to call her if we didn't have an success in another 6 months (so a year total).

I'd say that if your cycles seem pretty regular, to make an appointment for the year mark. If you get pregnant by then, you can cancel, but at least you will have an appointment scheduled if you need it.

[sonrisa]

How old are you? How old is your husband? Are there any other factors in the mix?

(FYI: for those of you feeling "old" average age of a new mom in my county is 37).

[katieb4tom]

Mar 20, 2013 17:55:35 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

How old are you? How old is your husband? Are there any other factors in the mix?

(FYI: for those of you feeling "old" average age of a new mom in my county is 37).

What what? Where is this?! & tell us more about the vibe with that, like are people taking fertility drugs or freaking out about birth defects due to age? Fascinated!

[FastHands]

Have you guys seen this? It's from Huff Post, but the data is from a peer-reviewed journal.

[thoseareradishes]

Here is a link to the story above - link

It also says that "One focus of the paper, published in the online journal PLoS ONE, is how maternal age affects the chances that a couple having unprotected sex, but not necessarily timing intercourse according to peak ovulation, will get pregnant in the next month."

Also, ""I think that [the model] validated our current standard," said Dr. Wendy Vitek, director of the fertility preservation program with the University of Rochester's Strong Fertility Center, who did not work on the study. "Couples are generally advised to try and conceive for 12 cycles or one year before they go to a doctor. If you're over 35, and you haven't conceived in 6 cycles, then you should be evaluated."

 

[annabear07]

lola - I'm not sure if you were referring to me, but I am temping, charting, opks, all of it. We are on Cylce 6 of trying and the first 2 were anovulatory after stopping BC.

I'm not worried at all, but at my age (almost 33) 6 months quickly turns into a year and if there is a sperm problem or some type of tube blockage preventing pregnancy than I'd rather know sooner, fix the problem, and then continue rather than waiting until the magical 1 year mark to start investigating. But that's just me, I tend to be very proactive!

[luvslattes]

I was told to wait 1 year. I called at 16 months because I was still in denial. I have since had 2 failed iui's. I would call now, if I were you. It took me 2 months to get my first appointment to even get things started.

[lola]

Mar 21, 2013 12:20:14 GMT -5 annabear07 said:

lola - I'm not sure if you were referring to me, but I am temping, charting, opks, all of it. We are on Cylce 6 of trying and the first 2 were anovulatory after stopping BC.

I'm not worried at all, but at my age (almost 33) 6 months quickly turns into a year and if there is a sperm problem or some type of tube blockage preventing pregnancy than I'd rather know sooner, fix the problem, and then continue rather than waiting until the magical 1 year mark to start investigating. But that's just me, I tend to be very proactive!

I had to go back and look at what I wrote! lol.

I guess that I'd say if you're temping, charting, OPKing, and you can see that you are ovulating then I'd give it some time. If you're on cycle six, you've only tried for five cycles. Two of those were immediately following BC and thus anovulatory - which is normal. So, you're down to three cycles of good TTC.

I think at a minimum I'd give it eight or nine cycles of good timed sex, with ovulation. If you start seeing that you're not ovulating, or there's an issue you can pinpoint, make the call. Otherwise, give it a few more cycles, then call. If you have to wait a few weeks to get in you might even get another cycle in before your appointment.

Good luck!

[annabear07]

Mar 21, 2013 12:43:16 GMT -5 lola said:

Mar 21, 2013 12:20:14 GMT -5 annabear07 said:

Good luck!

I respect your opinion and appreciate you expressing it, however, I'm going to follow my doctor's recommendations of 6 well timed cycles, so 2 more cycles from now.  I think it gives a fair shake to the 20% probability of each cycle being successful, (in other words giving 6 shots at a 1 in 5 chance) without wasting time.

Sorry to hijack your post annalatte !  I hope you are getting the advice that you needed!

[lola]

Ahh, sorry annabear07! I thought you were the OP. I guess I should have paid more attention. But I'm happy to know I'm respected.

[ilovecandy]

One year we started the ball rolling. It took about a month to get the referral for the gyn/ ob then when he had tested all he could and stills couldn't find anything it took another month for the referral for the re.

[jewel]

We TTC for 8 or 9 cycles, before getting pregnant. That pregnancy ended in a m/c. I went back to the doctor after 4 cycles of trying again (over 12 cycles total). My ob/gyn thought I was crazy, but the in-house RE doesn't require a referral, so she told me I could go over whenever I wanted.

I made an appointment with the RE a month or two later. Testing revealed a HUGE sperm problem, and we were diagnosed with MFI. The RE said it was almost a miracle that we ever got pregnant on our own. He also found scarring at the entrance of my uterus (probably caused by the D&C), which has likely been blocking most sperm from entering.

My only regret is not going in sooner. If something doesn't feel right to you or you are worried, go in. You won't regret giving it a shot, even if the doctor does nothing for you at that point.

[changedname]

I first went to my family doctor after 5 months just because I had a pap scheduled. She did bloodwork just to make sure everything was good and it was. She offered to refer me to an RE because the wait can be 4-6 months and by that time I would have been trying for 9 months. Well, the RE called me the next week so I went in, had an initial consult. but waited until we had been ttcing 9 months before I did initial testing.

I am 34 and was 32 when we started ttc. I am now going through IVF after 3 failed iuis in the fall. Honestly, I think I timed it ok. I am glad I didn't wait a whole year to get on the RE waiting list. Even if I get pg right now I'm going to be 35 and AMA when I give birth. NOT what I was expecting to happen.

[thatgirl2478]

I'm 34 (35 this year) DH is 41. We were at cycle 11 when we called the Dr concerned that #2 wasn't happening.

If you are under 35, they recommend after 12 months of trying. If you are over 35, 6months. However, if you have reason to suspect something else is going on, go earlier.

[awick14]

I got a referral to an OB for blood work before officially TTC. I have a list of medical problems that may or may not affect TTC. But after coming off BCP I had a rough year, started about 6 months after off BCP. There is some speculation that I have PCOS so my OB started with blood work.

It did take me about 5 months to get in with the OB because I was working OOT so much. So I am on cycle 4 of TTC and this is the cycle that I got the blood work done.

Most people think I started it way to early but I think everyone's different. The moment the ob read my medical hx she wanted to be proactive.

[azurely]

I was 27 when we started trying. I'm 29 (almost 30) now.

I talked to my OB/GYN after 9 months of trying, at my yearly appt. He said we could do the easy stuff like sperm analysis, but wouldn't do any testing until 12 months of trying. We did SA and HSG after 12 months, and also did multiple cycles of Clomid + intercourse and Clomid + IUI. I got pregnant twice, once from IUI and once on our own, but m/c both times. We did a lot of testing and a few more IUIs before going to an RE, so it was more delayed than it should have been.

Our first RE appt was last week, and we have been trying almost 3 years... If I could go back, I would have done it about 6 months ago, since they are so much more knowledgeable about IF.